Tough call on Walters’ job future

KEVIN Walters faces a massive decision as he mulls over whether to hand over the coveted Queensland Origin role for the poisoned chalice of Titans coach.

Walters has emerged as the favourite for the Gold Coast job after Neil Henry was sacked yesterday with a year to run on his contract.

While chief executive Graham Annesley yesterday denied issues ran deeper than just a clash between Henry and marquee man Jarryd Hayne, an incoming coach will be wary of getting the Titans’ $1.2 million player offside.

Foundation Titans football manager Scott Sattler said the decision to axe Henry could set the club back.

“I hope and pray that it doesn’t go the say way as the Wests Tigers when that scenario played out a couple of years ago,” Sattler said of that club’s regression after a player revolt ousted then-coach Tim Sheens.

“It took them a year for any player to really take the club seriously, everyone was in a holding pattern whether you go anywhere near the place or not.

“I think the Titans will go through (the same sort of issue) initially, until they can get some faith back, not only in the community, but in the minds of players and other potential coaches .

“When you’re cutting contracts two games out from the end of the season when you’re not going to make the finals, it doesn’t really send a message of stability for anyone who’s going to take the job on.”

Walters is a career coach who eventually wants a head

coaching role in the NRL.

But he has previously said he is not ready to walk away from the Maroons, who are in a transitional phase with many of their greats heading into representative retirement.

The QRL, however, has cleared the way for him to take the job should he formally apply.

Walters yesterday said he had not discussed the position with the Titans, although he is sure to be among the top names on the club’s list.

His Maroons offsider and South Sydney assistant Anthony Siebold and Penrith assistant Garth Brennan are also among the options, as are former Manly coach Geoff Toovey and Bulldogs mentor Des Hasler, despite the fact he is currently tied to the Dogs.

Annesley said yesterday the search for a replacement would now begin.

“Clearly we’ll start the search for a new coach immediately, we would hope that we would have a coach in place for the players’ return from annual leave in early November,”Annesley said.

“Clearly, the management of all of our players will be a key consideration in the search for a new coach.”

That deadline is crucial, with key players including halves Ash Taylor and Kane Elgey free to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1 and the Titans desperate not to allow the pair to enter the open market.

Neither is likely to recommit without knowing the new coach though.